Tavapadon: A game-changing partial dopamine agonist?

20 December 2024: AbbVie recently announced positive topline results from its pivotal Phase III TEMPO-2 trial evaluating investigational tavapadon as a flexible-dose monotherapy in early Parkinson’s disease (PD). Tavapadon, the first and only D1/D5 partial agonist in the dopamine agonist class, is under investigation as a once-daily treatment for PD. The trial met both its…

New mechanism for blood flow regulation in the brain

19 December, 2024: A study led by Mark Nelson, PhD, from the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, has identified a new mechanism, Electro-Calcium (E-Ca) Coupling, that integrates electrical and calcium signalling to regulate blood flow in the brain. Published in PNAS, the research redefines how capillaries ensure precise oxygen and nutrient…

Sleep apnoea linked to changes in the brain

18 December 2024: People with breathing problems during sleep may have a larger hippocampus, according to a study published in the December 18, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study, which included mostly Latino people, also found that those with lower oxygen levels during sleep had changes in…

Genetic testing for neurodevelopmental conditions

More personalised care for children 18 December 2024:Adding genetic testing to the evaluation of paediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) resulted in more personalised care, including changes in medication, referrals to clinical trials or specialists, and surveillance for potential medical issues, according to a new UCLA Health study. Children who present with neurodevelopmental differences, such…

‘Digital twin’ brain tech for people with Parkinson’s given funding

£1m research project to advance ‘deep brain stimulation’ set to revolutionise Parkinson’s treatment and management People with Parkinson’s disease are to benefit from cutting edge AI technology that allows neuroscientists to safely test medication and treatment on a ‘digital twin’ brain, thanks to a £1m funding boost for researchers at Manchester Met. The project will…

Accelerated Approval in Huntington’s disease?

uniQure announces alignment with FDA on key elements of Accelerated Approval pathway for AMT-130 in Huntington’s disease 10 December 2024: – uniQure N.V., a gene therapy company advancing therapies for patients with severe medical needs, has announced that the company reached agreement with the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on key elements of an…

Vamorolone for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

10 December 2024: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved vamorolone (Agamree, Santhera) as a treatment option for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in individuals aged 4 years and over, following a revised pricing agreement with the manufacturer. Despite initial rejection in March due to uncertainties in evidence and cost-effectiveness, further analyses…

Episodic migraine in children and adolescents

Teva presents positive efficacy and safety data of AJOVY® (fremanezumab) for the prevention of episodic migraine in children and adolescents from Phase 3 SPACE trial 4 December 2024: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd presented positive data from its Phase 3 SPACE study evaluating the efficacy and safety of AJOVY® (fremanezumab) for the prevention of episodic migraine…

A link between gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease?

1 December 2024: A study by researchers at Florida State University’s Gut Biome Lab has revealed a potential link between an infection caused by gut bacteria and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The research found that the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae — a common bacteria notorious for causing hospital-acquired infections — can migrate from the gut into the…